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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






2. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






3. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






4. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






5. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






6. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






7. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






8. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






9. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






10. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






11. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






12. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






13. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






14. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






15. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






16. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






17. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






18. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






19. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






20. Sliding between two notes.






21. System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.






22. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






23. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






24. A symbol indicating to play loud.






25. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






26. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






27. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






28. Group of singers in a chorus.






29. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






30. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






31. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






32. The principal note of a triad.






33. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






34. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






35. Suite of Baroque dances.






36. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






37. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






38. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






39. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






40. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






41. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






42. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






43. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






44. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






45. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






46. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






47. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






48. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






49. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






50. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.







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